Is it important to adopt a yogic lifestyle? What does it mean to adopt a yogic lifestyle?
In my opinion, there is no set mould for having a yogic lifestyle. The yogic lifestyle incorporates a variety of things such as the 8 limbs of yoga – Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi which provide a moral and ethical framework; knowing about the 3 Gunas and Ayurvedic Doshas which can guide a person on how they should eat, think and behave. There is more that remains to be discussed and probably also more aspects that I am unaware of.
However, after my brief introduction and learning about the Philosophy of Yoga in the past four weeks, one thing that stood out most for me was ‘Satya’ which falls under one of the 8 limbs of Yoga – Yama. Satya means truthfulness, and it does not simply mean speaking the truth/being honest, but living a life that is truthful to yourself. As important as it is to follow what people would assume a Yogic lifestyle is (ie. Practising Asanas, meditating, eating healthy), it is of greater importance to listen to what goes on inside your mind and heart and to be truthful with yourself.
Thus, it is of utmost importance to follow a lifestyle where you can be comfortable and honest with yourself rather than a lifestyle that has been defined by the masses, books or others.
Linda Lim (YTTC200 – January 2018)
